[Afghanistan]Afghanistan's accidental gay prideThe embarrassment over the trend for rainbow flags on cars in Kabul reminds us how far Afghanistan is from the liberal westIf you are gay and proud, Afghanistan is quite likely the last place on earth to show it publicly. How, then, are we supposed to make sense of the recent very conspicuous appearance of the rainbow-coloured gay pride symbols all over the streets of Kabul and other urban centres?

[India] [Film] 'Third Man' a movie on the life of HijrasNow a movie on the life of Hijras is being made in Telugu film industry. The film has been titled 'Third Man'. 'Bomma Borusu Kadu' has been finalised at the tagline for the title.

[Burma]Burmese Gay Rights Activists Denounce DiscriminationAnti-homophobia activists from Burma who attended an event in Chiang Mai, Thailand, last week said that gays and transsexuals in the country are subjected to systematic abuse and ill-treatment in their country.The event, held to mark International Day Against Homophobia, attracted about 40 gay rights activists from Burma.

[Philippines]LGBT group slams Pacmom on pill usage, RH billIt's now the LGBT (lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender) community vs. Pacmom, following her statement about transsexuals using contraceptive pills to bring out feminine bodily characteristics.

[Australia] [Commentary]AHRC report releasedOn May 4 the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) released 2011 Addressing Sexual Orientation and Sex and/or Gender Identity Discrimination: Consultation Report — available at www.humanrights.gov.au — which summarises submissions received and results of roundtable discussions in Melbourne and Sydney.

[TX, USA] [Commentary]Now In Court Nikki Araguz Fights For Her Dead Husband’s Benefits, Though Her Opponents Call Her A Lying ManWhen 30-year-old firefighter Thomas Araguz died in a blaze at a Texas egg farm southwest of Houston, he left $600,000 in benefits, property, and insurance to his 35-year-old wife Nikki Araguz. Nikki married Thomas in 2008 and says that her husband fully supported her gender reassignment surgical process which occurred two months after they wedded. But Thomas’ mother Simona Longoria has filed a suit claiming that Thomas’ side of the family only learned of Nikki’s gender history just before his death, and that after he found out, he moved out of their home and planned to end the marriage. Now his family is suing so she doesn’t get any benefits because she was born a man and Texas doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage.

[Kuwait]Cross-dressers caught ‘kissing’ in carPolice arrested four cross-dressers, aged 18-20, for engaging in immoral acts on the Second Ring Road recently.While patrolling the area, the officers noticed four women kissing and dancing inside a car. When they approached the vehicle, the officers were surprised to discover that the women were actually young men clad in women’s clothes. The four cross-dressers were referred to the concerned security department for the necessary legal action.

[India]The other side of the story mattersWhat could be worse than being betrayed by the love of your life, especially when you have financed his life and undergone a sex change operation for him? German tourist Patarchokchain Sarawit never imagined that this would be her plight when she fell in love with a Kashmiri shawl salesman during a visit to the valley.(Photo: German tourist Patarchokchain Sarawit got a sex change to marry a Kashmiri man.)

[Philipines] [PR] Transpinays make human rights history with UN communication – www.tsphilippines.comThe Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) (www.tsphilippines.com), the pioneer transgender human rights organization in the Philippines, makes history as they send off a communication to the United Nations (UN) that calls attention to state responsibilities of the Philippine Government as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to pay careful attention to how the justice system updates itself with current developments in international human rights law in its understanding of gender identity through the lived experiences of transsexual women.

[TN, USA] [Commentary]Memphis Police Mess With Another TranswomanFormer Memphis police officer Bridges McRae was recently sentenced to two years in jail for beating the late Duanna Johnson while in custody. Now comes word that trans woman Kiare Newsom was harassed by the Memphis po-po's during a May 12 traffic stop along I-40.

[TN, USA] At Least 13 Huge Companies Supported Tennessee’ s Repeal Of Nashville’s LGBT ProtectionsThe Tennessee senate surprised no one by voting to repeal Nashville’s LGBT protections for city contractors. What is surprising however is that the Tennessee Chamber of Commerced who lobbied heavily in against the LGBT protections those rights has a handful of large, well-known corporations serving as board members. Cue the petition and prepare the boycott!

[TX, USA] [Commentary]Anti-Trans Bill SB 723 Is DEAD!The peeps living along I-5, I-95 and I-495 didn't think we trans Texans could do it. Our right wing opponents didn't think we were organized enough or had the ability to stop them from bumrushing a bad anti-trans bill through the GOP dominated Texas legislature.

[Europe]ILGA-Europe welcomes the European Commission's proposal on better protection of crime victimsOn 18 May 2011, the European Commission proposed a package of legislative measures to strengthen victims’ rights in the European Union including a proposal for a new directive establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime which would improve the existing Framework Decision on the standing of victims in criminal proceedings (2001.220/JHA).

[UK]Troubled transvestite died after driving head-on into another car after his marriage broke downA tortured transvestite was killed after he deliberately drove head-on into a another car, an inquest has heard.But a coroner has refused to record a verdict of suicide in the death of Stephen Rockman, ruling that, while the crash was not an accident, there was insufficient evidence to prove that Mr Rockman had intended to take his own life.Security officer Mr Rockman, 44, preferred to be known as Stephanie and was living as a woman when he died in the crash in December, 2009.

[India] [Books]An agent of changeClad in a red Kanchipuram sari, she looks gorgeous.A. Revathy is one of many transgenders who has managed to break the shackles (of society),” says Abhijith, author of Hijada, a visually descriptive book on the lives of those who are looked down upon as untouchables by society.

[USA]People.com Editor Shares Transition StoryThe editor of People.com shares in a new interview that she celebrates the boy she was born as, because he paved the way for her to become the woman she is now. (Photo)

[USA]LaBarbera: Clinton Message Against Homophobia Shows US Will "Cheerlead For Perversion"On Tuesday Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton marked International Day Against Homophobia And Transphobia, demanding “an end to discrimination and mistreatment of LGBT persons wherever it occurs.” She called LGBT rights “universal human rights,” and criticized countries that try to criminalize homosexuality and marginalize gay-rights and its advocates.Peter LaBarbera of Americans For Truth About Homosexuality was naturally outraged, and told the American Family Association’s OneNewsNow to resist Clinton’s stance against bigotry:

[TN, USA]Transgender Woman Files Complaint Against MPDLonnie Sharp is a transgender woman who lives her life as Kiare Newsom. She has for more than two decades. She says she's faced some struggles along the way, but nothing like what she experienced during a traffic stop last week.

[TX, USA]Missing inactionJamie Boeglin lived on the fringes of society, and now that she has been missing for a year, her family fears they have lost her forever.

[WI, USA]Speaker reveals journey in transition to being a womanIn the language of the transgender community, Jessica Janiuk “passes.” She never liked the term, though, because it seems to suggest that she is “passing” herself off as something she’s not, when she is only being exactly who she is.(Photo: Jessica Janiuk makes a presentation Tuesday before the Chippewa Falls Rotary.)

[Cuba]Cuba's first transsexual gets surgeryAfter 40 years of waiting, 61-year-old metalworker Juani Santos finally underwent a sex reassignment surgery as part of the Cuban government's revolutionary program to fund sex-change operations.

[IL, USA] [Commentary] ACLU Files Suit On Illinois Refusal To Correct Birth CertificatesThe American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is suing the Illinois Department of Public Health for refusing to correct birth certificates of transgender and transsexual people, requiring proof they have undergone a series of sex-reassignment surgeries before they can change the sex marker on their birth certificates.

[MD, USA] Activists Launch Gender Rights MarylandActivists in Maryland followed up on a statement issued by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) on the hate crime indictiment of a suspect involved in a beating of a transgender woman at a McDonald's restaurant by announcing the formation of a new group called Gender Rights Maryland.

[NV, USA] State of Nevada, Courts Give Trans People Some JusticeHere is a sentence we don’t get to write very often: this has been a relatively good news week as far as trans issues, so far at least! I say “relatively” because all of the “good” news is really “partial rectification or acknowledgement of previous bad things,” but I guess it’s better than it not happening at all?

[NY, USA] Health Conference Looks to Improve Care For Transgender Communitycare providers and transgender advocates gathered at Lincoln Hospital for a day of discussions on the specific health needs of the borough's transgender population--a group organizers say is often overlooked by the medical community at large.(Photo: Freddy Molano and Catherine Abate (right) of Community Healthcare Network, with transgender activist Ashley Love, at last week's conference)

[SC, USA] Spartanburg County: No to LGBT DayThe chairman of the Spartanburg County Council refused to sign a proclamation to designate June 4 as LGBT Day in the South Carolina county.

[TX, USA] PHOTOS and VIDEO: Dallas marks IDAHOAbout 45 people attended a candlelight vigil in downtown Dallas on Tuesday night to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. A number of pedestrians also stopped along the sidewalk to listen to speakers at the JFK Memorial.

[Trinidad and Tobago]Hostility fails to dampen gays’ spirits on awareness march“A little hostility.” That’s what gay and transgender citizens met yesterday when they went about presenting packages to several ministries to raise awareness of gay rights. But it wasn’t enough to dampen their spirits.

[Cyprus]Still bottom of the list on LGBT rightsCyprus remains at the bottom of the list in Europe for its attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals, latest statistics showed yesterday.

[Philippines] Lesbian-gay group lauds anti-discrimination billPro-gay Cordillera is looking forward to the success of House Bill 1483, also known as "Anti-Discrimination Act of 2010," filed by Representative Teodoro Casiño of Bayan Muna party-list.The bill is an act defining the discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and providing penalties for the violators.

[KS, USA] Manhattan's discrimination ordinance repealedIt's a story we've followed on 27 News.A recently passed amendment to Manhattan's discrimination ordinance is officially repealed.Manhattan City commissioners took a final vote to repeal the amended discrimination ordinance which added sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes.

[UK] [Commentary] 17 May: International Day against Homophobia and TransphobiaTo mark this year’s International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA-Europe) has published its Rainbow Europe Map and Index in which it rates each European country’s laws and administrative practices according to 24 categories and ranks them on a scale between 17 (highest score: respect of human rights and full legal equality of LGBT people) and -7 (lowest score: gross violations of human rights and discrimination of LGBT people).

[Finland] Transvestism is no longer a disease in FinlandThe Institute for Health and Welfare will remove even sexual fetishism and sadomasochism from ICDCertain diagnoses relating to sexual behaviour will be removed from the Finnish version of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) next year.The number of categories to be removed from the ICD is five, including transvestism, sexual fetishism, sadomasochism, and diverse sexual target disorders.

Today is May 17th, International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia!.. This important date, following which activities are held to denounce discrimination, hate crimes, social exclusion and violence against LGBTs based on sexual orientation and gender identity MARKS also the 1st anniversary of the incident when 5 trans activists from Pembe Hayat were attacked and ill-treated by the police officers of Ankara Esat Police Station.

The violence used by the police officers against trans activists on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia [17.05.2010], clearly demonstrated that the Turkish Government continues to breach human rights of citizens on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The complaints that were filed against the perpetrator police officers just after the incident, have not been taken into consideration by the relevant authorities. The prosecutor's office declared nolle prosequi [dismissed the proceeding of the file] and the file is under review at Ankara Sincan High Criminal Court.

In addition, the perpetrators filed complaints against the victims of violence with allegations; "insulting the police", "resisting the police" and "destroying the public goods", which are all without any clear evidence and the prosecutor's office opened a case against the trans victims. The prejudice and the impartial attitudes of the judicial authorities against the trans were proved by the actions of the prosecutor's office.

Judicial authorities does not need to turn the complaints of the victims into cases even though they have been provided with the video recordings and the photos of the incident, while they directly open cases against trans victims in the lack of legal arguments and evidences.

It cannot be accepted that trans victims of arbitrary fines, arrests and overt violence of police officers face transphobic attitudes while they are in search for their legal rights.

Following the meaning of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, May 17th, we protest the humiliating ill-treatment and violence of police against trans and we demand judicial authorities to immediately review the complaints against the police officers and sentence the perpetrators.

[Philippines] Lesbians, gays, bisexuals want gov’t protectionTHE Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) activists yesterday trooped to the House of Representatives to seek the passage of a long-delayed measure protecting human rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

[Canada] Hundreds rally for gay rightsGay rights advocates rallied in Halifax on Tuesday to denounce homophobia, support transsexual and transgendered citizens and call on legislators to shore up human rights legislation.

[USA/International] [PR]Hillary Rodham Clinton: International Day Against Homophobia and TransphobiaIn every part of the world, men and women are persecuted and attacked because of who they are or whom they love. Homophobia, transphobia and the brutal hostility associated with them are often rooted in a lack of understanding of what it actually means to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). So to combat this terrible scourge and break the cycle of fear and violence, we must work together toimprove education and support those who stand up against laws that criminalize love and promote hate. As we mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia this May 17, let us resolve to redouble our efforts.

[DC, USA] Allums to leave women's teamShooting guard Kye Allums will not return to the court for the Colonials next season.Allums, the first transgender basketball player in NCAA Division I history, will likely undergo the first steps in a gender reassignment surgery this summer.

[DC, USA] Congressional briefing spotlights findings of Injustice at Every TurnThe National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) today sponsored a Capitol Hill briefing on key findings from the Task Force and NCTE's groundbreaking new report, Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey. The briefing was held on behalf of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus.

[IL, USA] Transgender Woman Says Employer Forced Her to Use Men's BathroomA transgender woman named Meggan Summerville (born Mark Summerville) from the Chicago suburbs filed two discrimination charges against the state of Illinois, saying that her employer prohibited her from using the women's restroom, even though she is entitled to using those facilities. (Photo)Suburban Transwoman’s civil rights violated by her employer - IGA Statement [VIA EMAIL]Ms. Megan Sommerville has filed two charges of discrimination, with the state, against the Aurora arts and crafts store, Hobby Lobby, where she has worked for a number of years.Illinois Gender Advocates, IGA, applauds Miss Sommerville for having the determination to stand up for her rights. With out the courageous action of individuals like her, our rights are mere words on paper.IGA also applauds the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and it’s Director, Mr. Rocco J. Claps, for their dedication to ensure the equal treatment of all the citizens of Illinois.As Martin Luther King said; “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.IGA stands ready to aid and support anyone who has been discriminated against due to their Gender Identity or Expression.Trans Woman Sues Job in Bathroom DisputeTransgender woman files suit against Aurora employer

[NV, USA] Transgender Employment Protections Pass Nevada SenateAfter passing in the Nevada Assembly last month, a bill banning employment discrimination based on gender identity or expression was narrowly approved May 11 by the state’s Senate with an 11-10 vote, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

[WA, USA] Esprit enjoys its freedom in Port AngelesBilled as the “Pacific Northwest’s premiere transgender convention,” Esprit is in full swing this week, and the participants are happy to be back in Port Angeles.

[UK]Colchester transsexual and friends fight ‘illegal’ banA TRANSSEXUAL says her human rights have been breached after she and her pals were banned from a bar.Olivia Mulgrew, 46, of Harwich Road, Colchester, and five transgender friends, have been told by the landlady they are putting other customers off. (Photo)

[Kuwait]Student cross-dressersAhmadi Educational Zone dismissed two students from a high school in Jaber Al-Ali area for cross-dressing, reports Al-Anba daily. The administration of the school seized makeup and women’s garments from the bags of the two students.

[India]Eunuch arrested for murdering live-in partnerTired of getting fleeced by the man whom she thought loved her, Nisha, a eunuch, brutally murdered him on Thursday night. She has been arrested. Police said Nisha's live-in partner Surender was stabbed on the abdomen, chest, hand and neck. After killing him, Nisha 'ransacked' the house to make it lo ok like robbers had killed the victim.Transsexual murders lover in rage

[Australia]Tasmania tackles discriminationThe Tasmanian Government has given a $30,000 grant to three community organisations to help fight discrimination and abuse against LGBTI Tasmanians.

[Australia]International Day Against Homophobia 201117 May each year marks IDAHO, the international day when nations unite to acknowledge and tackle homophobia and transphobia where it occurs. Hundreds of events are planned in over 50 countries.

[IL, USA]Transgender woman says employer forces her to use men's roomA west suburban transgender woman has filed two charges of discrimination with the state against the Aurora arts and crafts store she has worked at for a number of years, stating that management has barred her from using the women's restroom and threatened her with further disciplinary action if she were to use the women's room in the future. (Photo)

[PA, USA]Transgendered woman sues LSIJanis Stacy knew her transformation from a man to a woman would be difficult for some of her coworkers to understand.That's why the former product engineer at Agere Systems met in February 2005 with colleagues who knew her as Jim to explain why she had chosen to change her appearance.Those meetings marked the start of a pattern of discrimination by the company, Stacy alleges in a federal lawsuit. In January 2008, after she had completed her gender transition, Stacy was singled out to be laid off, the lawsuit says.

quinta-feira, maio 19, 2011

[Europe] [PR]President of the European Parliament marks International Day Against Homophobia and TransphobiaYesterday, President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek inaugurated a photo exhibition on European gay prides. The Polish centre-right President addressed Members of the European Parliament, staff and visitors. Mr Buzek said homophobia was “deplorable, because it aims to denigrate people and deprive them of their rights on the basis of their sexual orientation.”

[South Africa]The tide of intolerance must turnTransgender activist Victor Mukasa knows better than most what it's like to live in a society that worships traditional gender norms.(Photo: Victor Mukasa, a victim of 'corrective' rape in Uganda, attended a gender activist march in KwaThema after the brutal murder of lesbian activist Noxolo Nogwaza.)

[India]Sex workers’ union activist assaulted in BangaloreThe night of May 11 was one that Rinky (name changed), a third-sex member activist and sex worker with Sangama, will never forget. The member of the Karnataka Sex Workers Union was brutally assaulted by eight people from the Hijra (transgender) community on Airport Road. She sustained several injuries, besides being subjected to great psychological abuse.

[Australia]Art charts wife's journey as husband goes from Brent to BrendaFor 26 years, Janice Appleton was a dutiful, loving wife to her high-flying corporate husband Brent.Married after a two-year courtship, the couple shared a passion for travel and a vision for their future – kids, work and a long life together.Today, nothing has changed. But everything has changed. (Photo: Brenda Appleton)

[Australia] Historic rally for ISGD people’s rightsAustralia’s first national rally of intersex, sex and/or gender diverse (ISGD) people saw 180 participants gather on the lawns of parliament house, Canberra, on May 11.

[Canada]'Simple shove' led to man's death, judge toldJoseph McNabb couldn’t possibly have known a simple shove would have seriously injured Evaristo Caniuman, let alone result in his death, a judge was told Thursday.Caniuman, 60, suffered fatal head injuries following a confrontation with McNabb on Sargent Avenue in April 2009.McNabb, who is transgendered and identifies as a woman, is on trial for manslaughter.

[CA, USA] Intersex children find increasing medical, social supportJeanne Nollman was a later bloomer.She waited and waited for puberty to hit, and when she was 17 and still nothing had happened, she got tested -- and found out she had a rare condition called Swyer syndrome and would need supplemental hormones.What no one told her until eight years later, when she demanded more information about her condition, was that she had the male X-Y chromosome pattern.

[IL, USA]Transgender people sue Illinois to change birth certificatesLauren Grey is, in all aspects of her life, a woman. Her driver's license reflects that, as do her name, her Social Security information and her appearance.Still, her Illinois birth certificate says she's a man. She has requested that it be changed and provided a supporting affidavit from the doctor who performed breast augmentation and facial feminization surgeries on her. But, according to a lawsuit filed on behalf of her and other transgender people this week by the American Civil Liberties Union, the state has denied her request, saying transgender people in Illinois must have "genital reformation surgery" to have their birth certificates changed. (Photo)Transgenders sue Illinois

[WA, USA] Should City's Health Care Cover Gender Reassignment?Seattle city officials may be making some revisions in the city's health care plan.Currently, the plan doesn't cover gender re-assignment surgery, counseling or hormone treatment for transgender people, but city officials are considering changing that.